A year in review...

It is so hard to believe that today is the last day of 2009! What a year it has been. There are so many things to look back on and be thankful for...especially every moment with D from "Firsts" to his ever growing personality and curiosity we wouldn't change any of that for the world!

We've experienced so much laughter, smiles, moments, sadness, sorrow, hurt, guilt, life lessons and so much more. Some of wich we will treasure forever and some we are looking forward to put behind us and look to 2010 for so much more!

I personally am ready for this year to be over. In so many ways it has flown by, especially with D and in other ways it has seem to be a very very looooong year!

Here's to the New Year!

A little down time...

After Christmas and before New Year's we finally got to relax a little and just hang out which was really nice. I couldn't help but snag a photo of D in his favorite PJ's. Of course, firetruck themed!

We also decided it was time to put D's mini Christmas tree outside where it should be. So he wanted to take a picture by it and then "see" the outcome of that picture (a new game for him). Hopefully we will have this Christmas tree for years to come and we can see how it grows.

We finally got to see Uncle Dave and Katie. D loved his presents from them. He couldn't believe he got to open presents again! With his little car set that race each other and the "Cars" themed table ware...he was quite gracious and loved it! We sure are going to enjoy them living closer!

The Christmas Gift...

With the 3 different Christmas' we still had two presents under the tree for him to open come Sunday morning. So...we decided ok maybe it's time? Or should we wait until his birthday?

By that time, boy oh boy was he a pro at opening presents and thinking everything, I mean "everything" was for him. "No, you can't open that, it is for Hunter!".

He was very intrigued by the basketball hoop and then with that extravaganza he found his new obsession...the vacumn.

Let's just say I think he is good until his birthday!

Christmas Fun!

From stocking stuffers to all of the wonderful presents from friends, family and especially Santa it sure was fun!

Oh and we decided to take some silly "family" shots. Enjoy!

Christmas Night - Christmas #3

So after two eventful Christmas' with the many sides our families...it was time for one last stop. And of course, the stop that involves prime rib dinner! A must every Christmas! :)

After a short nap and a lot of playtime with all the new toys...we gathered up some things and headed off for the final Christmas stop, boo...sad to see this day end!

At my dad's house it was definitely a full house. With Tina's parents in town and the boys there...there was not a dull moment. I think D did great considering it ended up being way past his bed time...but again there was so much going on that he didn't have time to think about being cranky or tired. Who could, it's Christmas Day!

We opened presents and right away D was enthused with his play tool set. The boys took the time to show him how to use it, and then it didn't take long for them to get settled in with their games either. They also tried to show D how to swing the baseball bat on his new baseball tee. The best part was D rolling on the floor laughing while one of his toys did the same thing. And he decided to climb inside of Grandpa's present box and hide in it! What a ham! He also had time to color, what he does best!

And at dinner, the ever faithful "crackers" had lots of surprises and fun, silly games. D thought it would be fun to play peek a boo with his hat...and then of course get tickled by the "tickle monster"!

And we finished up the night watching Merry Madagascar that Grandpa got D. It was so cute, he sat in his lap and just watched...until about 5 mins. Then he was up and running, but was very intrigued!

We are sure looking forward to the rest of the weekend to relax, that's our plan anyway!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Christmas morning - Christmas #2

I guess the good thing about D going to sleep late on Christmas Eve was that he was not up at the crack of dawn on Christmas morning. Which means we got to sleep in a little, but also means that Grandma and Grandpa Gonzo were at our door to wake us up. Good thing, D woke up in a great mood...but when does he not?

He was first still excited about the choo choo train from the night before...but then he saw all the presents by the tree (wrapped and not wrapped)!

It was such a joy to watch him slowly pick each present out himself. And would quickly devour it to see what was underneath.

From books, to puzzles, bath toys, cars, wagons and elmore galore...the process of opening presents lasted about 4 hours (of course with breakfast in between - thanks Daddy)! We would open presents, then play with them...then have breakfast, then open more presents, then play in our high chair and climb on our wagon, then we almost forgot about the tricycle! But boy oh boy after it all we were all ready for a nap, each and everyone one of us!

We had a great time and I know D did too...thanks to everyone for all the wonderful presents and memorable moments! This lil guy had a ball!

Christmas Eve - Christmas #1

Christmas sure came fast this year! But I do have to say it was really nice to have the two days before Christmas off, finally! And what a difference it made! I was able to relax (sort of) and just enjoy the season, the year and the special times with our family. We were able to bake, and just hang out and have fun with our lil guy.

We ended up going to an early church service so we could get home for dinner at a reasonable hour. But that sure didn't D. He was up until 10:30 on major toy overload and it was only the beginning!

Nana had come over to have dinner with us and celebrate our Christmas with her. It was a great introduction to what Christmas was going to be like with D. From the first present she put down he was tearing the paper off to see what was inside (like he had been doing it for years). There was no act of trying to persuade him to do it, it was all him. And I have to say...I am kind of bummed I don't have more picture of him facing the camera. I always got his back or the top of his head! Ugh!

He got lots of presents from Nana, including a toy train set...and my oh my you would have thought the world was going to end if we didn't get it out the box right then and there. Daddy thought he could wait until the morning but D insisted and then of course didn't want to go to bed.

From cars to guitars, train sets, colors and coloring books...you name it he got. Of course the night could not go off without a hitch without him getting hurt. He bummed his head pretty hard on the table and bruised up right away. But choo choo to the rescue, he was healed!

After he finally went to bed we got the last minute presents together (meaning Daddy had to put together his wagon) and I had to get the cookies and milk ready for Santa.

It was a great night and we enjoyed spending it with Nana...but man it went by too quickly!

A visit with Santa...3rd times a charm?

Is that what they say?

I was sure this year he was going to like Santa, being we had practiced over and over learning his name so we wouldn't be scared when we did see him. But boy oh boy was I wrong.

The 1st visit was a bit of shocker. He wasn't feeling well that day, and we kind of just plopped him down with no warning. He was ok for that split second, then well he wasn't a happy camper. But all in all, I think this shot was decent.

The 2nd visit was a bit of a surprise too. We actually were leaving from his Christmas school program for school. And Santa was actually walking up to surprise the kids. After peaking in the window watching all the kids run up to Santa, I asked Dylan..."Do you want to go see Santa"...I got the head nod and a whispered yes. So we went inside. The moment he saw him, he clanged to me like he hasn't in months/year! But I was certain he just didn't know what he wanted....so we waited in line to see him. Well...he didn't want Santa.

But of course the moment Mommy had him he wanted Santa...so we attempted another shot...and well this time the moment the camera snapped he wasn't happy.

The 3rd visit was his official visit for the season. We had his cute little Christmas outfit on and we were ready. Daddy waited in line and we tried to let him see everyone walk up with no problem. We kept telling him, Santa wants to see you. He would nod his head. Through our minds we were trying to think of the best possible hand off. Do you let him walk up to Santa on his own? Do we walk him up? Do you do the traditional hand off and try to snap that shot? Well, here is how it ended up...and of course the the one we got from the photographer there, he actually wasn't crying...just a deer in a headlight look.

Did we traumatize our child? I sure hope not! He was all about blow up Santa's in the yards and Santa in his books, but the real Santa...not so much! Maybe next year?!

Is it OCD or just something new?

Our lil man's newest and greatest pleasure!

He found the sponge and spray bottle underneath the cabinet and has been obsessed every since! His poor little hand was so red from pressing the "trigger" so many times! And watch out, its slippery!

20 Months

Boy oh boy...our "boy" is growing!

In all aspects of life too! He is quite the tall little dude. But his "tall-ness" is in his upper body. So...that means, he needs 2T in his shirts but if you buy pants in 2T you better get ready to roll those babies up! Of course we get the recommended size for his onsie sleeper with footies...the poor kid is running around looking like he has a wedgie! Ahh...what to do. Forgot trying to buy him clothes now for our trip to Tahoe...he has already outgrown half of his stuff!

He still loves to eat, some days better than others. But always can guarantee he wants his fruits and veggies...no complaints here!

He absolutely loves his shoes! Has to have them on almost all the time.

Loves his dogs, loves his friends and family. He's an affectionate kind of dude.

And his vocabulary is sky rocketing! I can't even begin to type all that he says, knows or attempts to say. He loves Titan aka (Ty Ty). Milk, Juice, More, Mas, Cheese, Cookie, Boat, Santa, Snow, No, Yes, bo bo, hurt, eat, agua, water and the list goes on. He understands more than he can say and it is quite nice being able to have him listen to commands and understand US, sometimes. :)

His likes, any type of vehicle that has lights and sounds. But absolutely loves fire trucks. We get an excitement every time we pass the fire house. If the firehouse door is shut, he says "Night Night" and followed with "Bye Bye". But if they are there, oh my goodness you better roll down that window and it is about 3 mins of non stop gibberish and talking and mimicking of the fire truck sounds. After he says Bye Bye it is mass hysteria of laughter! It's the best. One day we are going to drive up and just visit it so he can get it all out.

He has also grown very fond and almost annoying with "Choo Choo" trains. My oh my, almost as bad as the fire truck! I really think that you will be seeing either of these or Elmo of course as a theme for his 2nd birthday party. Goodness gracious, how could I not.

He loves to help around the house. He is our official "let the dogs in or out" person of the house. He loves to do it and finds great joy in it. He actually will let us know if (even if we are trying to tune them out) if the dogs want in. And he INSISTS! He is learning how to feed them too, of course the bins are too high but there is also an art of walking the scoop to the dog bowl with out spilling it on the ground. He loves to grab a spray bottle and sponge and clean everything, I mean everything! I think that kept him busy for almost an hour one morning and it was a temper tantrum to get him away...when we had to leave.

He is getting better about telling us about needing a change of diaper, either wet or dirty. In fact one day, he ran to the bathroom himself and insisted to get up on the toilet to sit down. We shall see, of course we aren't pushing a thing!

All in all, he is great. He has been having episodes of the past two weeks of waking up every night at 11:30 screaming beyond no means. We thought he was scared of the closet (past Halloween costumes), but it keeps continuing. I know he is definitely teething, as he has his back molars and canines coming in. So that can't be enjoyable! Hopefully it is just a stage. But he sure is liking the time with daddy spent in the recliner.

He's continuing to be our lil ham and we are just enjoying seeing his personality come to light!

Oh what a rebel...

So he was fighting a nap...but didn't want to go to bed.

He would go to his room and grab his blanket and lay down in the middle of the living room. I made him a little pallet of blankets for a "softer" ground, much like the mat at daycare and he thought he was going to go to sleep on it.

Sike! yeah right, he would close his eyes and then like a blink of an eye, he would be up and giggling and running down the hall.

ahh...what fun?!